From putting up your favorite ornaments to opening gifts with loved ones, the Christmas tree is an important holiday tradition for many. Artificial trees are an excellent alternative that are designed to look just like the real thing, but choosing the right one can be a daunting task. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best artificial christmas tree, with everything you need to know about materials, needles, and tip count.

Tip!

Check out our guide Christmas Tree Types to learn more about the various shapes, sizes, and types of Christmas trees.

1. Consider Tree Height & Placement

The placement of your Christmas tree is important to consider since this will determine the best tree height for you. When buying an artificial Christmas tree, the height of the actual tree isn’t the only thing to consider. You should also take into consideration the height of your ceiling and your tree topper (if you’re using one).

Most ceilings have an average height of 9'. If your ceiling is this high, the best artificial Christmas tree size is one between 7' –- 7.5' tall. This will give you plenty of room to display a full Christmas tree and still have room for a topper. If your ceiling is taller than 9', you may be able to go with a taller tree, on the other hand, if you’re working with a lower-than-average ceiling height, a mini-tree may be the way to go.

2. Pick the Right Density

The density or fullness of your tree’s branches is another important consideration. The fullness of the tree is determined by the amount of branches and branch tips it has. Tip count is an easy way to estimate the fullness of a tree. Trees with a higher tip count are typically more full and appear more realistic than trees with a low tip count. Plus, more branches equals more room to hang your favorite ornaments.

We recommend using the height of your tree to help determine the best tip count. For example, if you have a tree that is about 6'5" tall, look for a tip count between 800 and 900. Trees that are 7'5" look best with 1200 to 1500 tips, and 9'5" trees should have a tip count between 2000 to 3000.

3. Think About the Needles

When choosing an artificial Christmas tree, the needle style can be a key factor in how realistic the branches look. The type of needle is determined by the material used to make them. We've outlined the two most common materials – PVC and PE – to help you pick the best artificial Christmas tree to match your home and holiday decor.

• PVC: This synthetic material is pressed ultra-thin and then cut into slim, needle-like pieces. The material is then twisted around wire to create branches. These artificial Christmas trees are a popular choice because they're affordable and easy to fold up for off-season storage.

• PE: For this type of artificial Christmas tree, the branches are created by injecting polyethylene (PE) into needle-shaped molds. Though more expensive, this process gives the branches and needles a more three-dimensional, realistic feel.

Tip!

Want to achieve a realistic look at an affordable price? Look for artificial Christmas trees that combine flat PVC and 3D PE needles for a full, lush silhouette.

4. Opt for Easy Assembly

Not only are artificial trees easy to maintain, they're also easy to set up. Extra features like quick set-up, hinged branches, or pre-fluffed branches make it even easier to get the holiday spirit going.

• 60 Second Assembly: Name a better artificial Christmas tree than one that installs within 60 seconds. These trees come with a full kit that includes a base/stand and tiers of branches. Assembly is quick and easy – take each tier, fluff out the branches, and lock them into place. Each tier locks on top of the other to form a fully fluffed Christmas tree in a matter of minutes.

• Pre-Lit: Save time and stress decorating this year with a pre-lit tree. The lights come strung around the tree so all you have to do is plug it into the outlet. The lights come in a variety of colors ranging from warm clear to bright multicolor, which makes it easy to choose a color to match your holiday decor.

• Hinged Branches: These branches are permanently fixed to the tree and collapse for storage. This makes the set-up process faster than the traditional branches that hook into the base. Trees with hinged branches often come in three segments for convenient storage.

• Pop Up: This type of tree literally pops up when you take it out of the box, which makes set-up quick and simple. These fuss-free artificial trees are a great addition to any home.

• Pre-Fluffed Branches: This feature helps save time fluffing and shaping the tree. These pre-fluffed branches have a full, lush shape with little effort from you.

5. Consider Additional Features

After deciding on the right material and tip count, there are a few extra features to consider.

• Flocked: Flocked Christmas trees are designed to look like the branches are coated in freshly fallen snow. This effect adds a beautiful touch to any holiday decor.

Tip!

If you're looking for additional information about flocked Christmas trees, read our guide What is a Flocked Christmas Tree to learn more.

• Pre-Decorated: Streamline the decorating process with a tree that arrives pre-decorated. These trees include lights and ornaments so that you can put together a fully-decorated tree in minutes

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